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GHOST PINES Winemaker's Blend is a new line of wines recently introduced.  According to  The Modesto Bee staff reporters, "E.&J. Gallo Winery of Modesto has launched the Ghost Pines label, an outgrowth of its 2002 purchase of Louis M. Martini Winery in St. Helena.   The wines -- Merlot, Cabernet Sauvignon and Chardonnay at a suggested $23 -- are named for a vineyard that the Martini family bought in the eastern hills above the Napa Valley in 1968.  The grapes are grown there and in other vineyards in Napa and Sonoma counties, with a little bit of Monterey County in the Chardonnay.  The trees on the Ghost Pines label are native gray pines.  The long needles, according to a news release, 'sing in the California wind, and the soft shapes and sounds, eerie on a moonlit night, earned the trees their name.'  The launch continues Gallo's expansion into premium wines from coastal regions, complementing its lower-priced products from the San Joaquin Valley."  Sheltered by the Ghost Pines, trailblazer Joseph Chiles built his house along the Arroyo de Napa in the middle of the 19th Century.  "He planted wheat in the meadows where soils washed down from the steep hills.  The Arroya is now called Chiles Creek and the meadows have become Ghost Pines Vineyard--150 acres at 700 feet.  The vineyard was bought by the Martini family in 1968.  We use the name and the spirit of this historic vineyard to capture the heritage, tradition, and artisan feel of our blended wines.  The winemaking philosophy for Ghost Pines is to treat premium grapes as resources not limited by the restrictions of a single vineyard or single appellation." 

• GHOST PINES Winemaker's Blend 2006 Chardonnay (16% Napa, 81% Sonoma, 3% Monterey) 13.7 alcohol $23: ". . . fruit-forward character, baked apple, lemon cream elegant accented by elegant, sweet, toasty vanilla finish."
• GHOST PINES Winemaker's Blend 2005 Merlot (60% Napa, 40% Sonoma) 13.7 alcohol $23: ". . . fresh blackberry, red jams, subtle nuttiness, dried oats and sweet toast."
• GHOST PINES Winemaker's Blend Cabernet Sauvignon (61% Napa, 39% Sonoma)and 13.7 alcohol $23: ". . . lush, ripe, jammy fresh red and black fruit with a strong functional foundation in a disciplined manner, dense and chewy without being overly astringent." 

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SHAFER Vineyards 2006 Red Shoulder Ranch Chardonnay, Carneros $47 (alc. 14.9): This vintage offers a bounty of complex flavor.  Shafer’s hilly Red Shoulder Ranch vineyard in Napa Valley’s Carneros district does one thing well – year after year it produces Chardonnay grapes full of lush, exotic flavors.   After the vineyard does its finest, the Shafer team focuses on creating a wine with delicious, varietal purity.  Fermentation takes place within individual oak and stainless steel barrels using the wild yeasts found in the vineyard itself.  Since the wine undergoes no malolactic fermentation it retains a lively, natural acidity.  "The fruit is sustainably farmed and, in fact, the vineyard is named for the Red-shouldered Hawks and other birds of prey that play an important role in our natural cultivation practices.  In a region known for long, cool growing seasons, 2006 was longer and cooler than most. The summer allowed us to leave the fruit on the vine until it achieved an exquisite balance of acidity and deep ripeness.   This wine offers layers of flavors initially while more delicate layers emerge as the wine develops in the glass – aromas and flavors of honeysuckle, Fuji apple, apricot, and exotic flavors of the tropics. The underlying acidity is integrated with warm, toasty oak, and the whole package is tied up with a long, mouth-pleasing finish,” says Shafer Winemaker Elias Fernandez.     Cooperage: 14 months in 65% new oak: 80% French (Allier, Vosge); 20% American oak (Missouri); 15% one-year old oak (French) and 20% stainless steel barrels; Case production 6500

• SHAFER Vineyards 2005 One Point Five Cabernet Sauvignon, Stags Leap District (SLD) $70 (alc. 14.9): Driving the length of Stags Leap District takes all of four minutes.  It’s a postage-stamp of an appellation, with just 1,300 planted acres.  All of which makes it exciting for us to have enough fruit to again offer this new SLDCabernet Sauvignon.  This second release of One Point Five benefits from the 2005 growing season in SLD, which provided ideal conditions for this red. A long cool season produced steady, even berry development. The wine offers a great volume of color and flavor, giving us a vintage that’s a close relative of ’94, ‘ 97 and ’01.    Shafer Winemaker Elias Fernandez says this wine offers up, “Aromas of black, chewy fruit, cedar, chocolate, and dried herbs, followed by rich, juicy flavors of blackberry, dark chocolate, and tobacco, with a nice long finish. The tannins are ripe and supple.”  The One Point Five name is derived from the family partnership at the core of Shafer Vineyards.  “Dad and I learned the wine business together,’ says Doug Shafer. “At some point we coined the phrase ‘a generation-and-a-half’ to describe our partnership because it wasn’t the classic second-generation story where a parent hands off an established, profitable family business to a son or daughter. We were both here in the fingers-crossed days when no one was sure the winery would be a success.”  One Point Five is an elegant, silky Cabernet that  reflects the climate and soils of our Stags Leap District vineyard sites and Shafer’s commitment to sustainable farming and quality winemaking.  Cooperage:20 months in 70% new oak: ½ French oak (Allier & Tronçais); ½ American oak (Missouri); 30% one-year-old oak (French).  Cases, 9,500.

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BRONCO WINE COMPANY has released several new wines: THE FAT CAT, HARLOW RIDGE, NAPA RIDGE

• THE FAT CAT 2006 Pinot Noir, California $10: ". . . wild berry aromas with accents of plum, raspberry and a balanced, smooth finish, pair with babyback ribs, fish and chicken."
• THE FAT CAT 2003 Cabernet Sauvignon, California $10: ". . . abundant blackberry, black cherry, and round and rich tones sustain a long, mellow finish, enjoy with steak and sausage."
• HARLOW RIDGE 2006 Lodi Chardonnay $13: "Blend of flavors include apples, pineapples and vanilla, with hint of butter, crispness, yet soft and round.  Pair with a combination of foods."
• NAPA RIDGE 2006 Napa Valley Sauvignon Blanc $12: "Medley of flavors include melon, mint, grapefruit, refreshing with a crisp acidity on finish.  Enjoy with shrimp, veal scaloppini and other seafoods."  
• FOREST GLEN 2007 Pinot Grigio, California $11: "Freshness with apricot and peach aromas, crisp acidity and fruit flavors throughout."
• FOREST GLEN 2007 Magenta Rose (100% Syrah) California $8: "This off-dry wine has pure varietal flavors.  It pairs well with numerous foods: white meats, seafood, salads and barbecue."

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VALLEY OF THE MOON 2006 Pinot Noir, Carneros $20: " Carneros needs no introduction for those who love Pinot Noir or Chardonnay; this region along the northern edge of San Francisco Bay in Sonoma and Napa County is among California’s best for both grapes. Cool climate gives Carneros wines distinctive appeal and the fresh berry fruit of the newly released 2006 Valley of the Moon Winery Carneros Pinot Noir perfectly captures Carneros cool.  ¶   Carneros climate's warm inland temperatures each day draw cool marine air through the Golden Gate and into the adjoining valleys, including Napa and Sonoma Valley, at the base of which Carneros lies.   Carneros cooling begins with brisk early afternoon winds and usually progresses to chilly fog that lingers overnight before burning off.   Pinot Noir – which achieves outstanding character in only a few locations – loves this cool, reliable weather pattern; the vines get sun for a few hours each day, then the wind and fog cool them off.    The Carneros’ long growing season gives pinot noir grapes plenty of “hang time” to develop generous fruit, while the cool climate preserves natural acidity. ¶  This wine has aromas of  red cherry and raspberry accented by hints of spice and mint.    Red cherry also highlights the medium-bodied flavors, together with pomegranate and spice.   Moderate tannins and balanced acidity give the flavors solid structure and focus through the long finish.

• VALLEY OF THE MOON 2006 Unoaked Chardonnay, Russian River Valley $16: "One of the pleasures of wine – both in the making and in the drinking – is to try something new and find it delightful. Such is the case with the just- released 2007 Valley of the Moon Russian River Valley Unoaked Chardonnay. This is Valley of the Moon’s debut release of Unoaked Chardonnay, and in every way exceeds expectations.   ¶   Aging Chardonnay in small oak barrels is a time-honored tradition that began in France centuries ago and came to the United States in the early 1960s. However, due to climate differences, Chardonnay vines in California produce slightly fruitier wines than do those in France, and therein lies the potential of unoaked Chardonnay. By drawing Chardonnay grapes from the cool Russian River Valley, cold-fermenting the juice in stainless steel tanks, leaving oak barrels out of the production process and bottling the young wine without allowing it to undergo malolactic fermentation, Valley of the Moon has produced a Chardonnay that veers deliciously from tradition in its fresh, pure fruit and vibrant, nimble mouthfeel. It’s a wine that invites casual enjoyment like no other Chardonnay.  ¶  The 2007 Valley of the Moon Chardonnay charms with fresh, forward aromas of nectarine, pear and orange blossom. Nectarine also highlights the fresh, generous flavors, along with apple, citrus and a subtle mineral note. Absolutely beguiling on the palate, with racy fruit and polished texture, this easy-drinking beauty finishes crisp and long. Only 2,000 cases of the 2007 Valley of the Moon Russian River Valley Unoaked Chardonnay were produced; it is available nationally at a suggested retail of $16.

• VALLEY of the MOON 2007 Rosato di Sangiovese, Sonoma County (92% Sangiovese, 8% Pinot Noir) $16:  Summer beckons and thoughts turn to fresh, cool wines that beat the heat. Rosé, an increasingly popular warm weather refresher, recommends this Rosato--a popular fresh and flavorful premium rosé.  Modern rosé’s newly found popularity is simple – winemakers in recent years have utilized premium red grape varieties like Sangiovese and Pinot Noir, and cutting-edge winemaking techniques like limited skin soak, gentle pressing and cold fermentation in stainless steel tanks to achieve bright color, youthful, distinctive fruit character and off-dry finish.  In addition, this 2007 Valley of the Moon Rosato di Sangiovese shows the benefits of careful blending with the inclusion of a small amount of Pinot Noir blush wine contributes both fruit complexity and an extra measure of elegance.   It has fresh aromas and flavors of strawberry, cherry and orange and a hint of kiwi in the background adding complexity and a dash of spice, generous fruit and an off-dry finish.  Chill this charmer and enjoy well-chilled at a moment’s notice.

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BERNARDUS 2006 Monterey Chardonnay $20: "After a rainy spring, the summer months were sunny and slightly cooler than normal.  Our harvest had perfect ripening, while retaining crisp acidity and bright flavors.   At Bernardus, all our grapes our hand picked and very gently pressed in order to retain their best characteristics.  We barrel ferment 90% of our Chardonnay in French oak barrels, 33% of which are new, and allow 80% to undergo a malo-lactic fermentation for richness and complexity.  In addition, we stir each barrel once a  week to enhance texture and build extra structure.  The remaining.   The resulting wine is a perfect expression of Monterey Chardonnay, with aromas of expressive ripe tropical fruits and notes of crème brulee.  The palate is rich with flavors of apple, pear and exotic fruits which linger on the long, creamy finish."

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FERRARI-CARANO 2007 Fume Blanc, Sonoma County $17: "This wine is a blend of vineyard lots from various appellations--Dry Creek Valley, Alexander Valley and Russian River Valley.  We focus on sites with well-drained soils and different rootstocks to make a refined, elegant wine with a rich palette of fruit.   Aging partially in stainless steel and old French oak gives this wine a crisp freshness and a subtle oak character that adds complexity and depth.   Zesty aromas and flavors of grapefruit, honeydew and citrus and a lingering finish of mango and guava.  Pair with simple seafood dishes, s well as with veal and pork."

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KENWOOD VINEYARDS 2007 GEWÜRZTRAMINER and KENWOOD VINEYARDS 2007 PINOT NOIR ROSÉ have been released for spring fun and for the nice days and relaxed evenings to come.   These two Kenwood Vineyards releases show wine at its laid-back best. Forward and fruity, graceful on the palate, and nicely balanced, they chill beautifully and work equally well alone or with casual fare. The unusually cool 2007 Sonoma County vintage enhanced their easy-drinking style, as did the cold-fermented in stainless steel, no-oak winemaking Kenwood Vineyards utilized for these two wines.

• KENWOOD VINEYARDS 2007 Gewürztraminer, Sonoma County $11: "Full, floral aromas of honeysuckle, lychee and jasmine in the  lead to fresh, appealing honeysuckle and nectarine flavors. Generous yet nimble, its fresh fruit flavors give a subtle impression of sweetness that transitions into a dry, crisp finish.
• KENWOOD VINEYARDS 2007 Pinot Noir Rosé, Russian River Valley $13: "Bright fuchsia in color, the wine showcases fresh strawberry and guava aromas, with a hint of lime in the background. Fresh strawberry also dominates the medium-bodied flavors. The mouthfeel is impressively smooth, a delicious compliment to this wine’s vibrant, lingering finish.

KENWOOD VINEYARDS 2006 California White Table Wine (100% Chardonnay) and KENWOOD 2005 California Red Table Wine (Merlot, Petite Sirah, Carignane, Zinfandel, Barbera, Cabernet, Syrah, Sangiovese) 13.5% alc. $9 each.  More and more people are discovering the pleasure of wine with simple lunches and dinners.   KENWOOD introduces White Table Wine and Red Table Wine to meet these needs with appealing fruit and ample complexity appropriate for special occasions too.  The winemaking staff experimented with different grape sources, winemaking techniques and blend components.  For the White Table Wine, grapes came from various corners of Northern California and combined lots fermented in small French oak barrels and some in stainless steel tanks to achieve easy-drinking style.  The Red aged the young wines in French and American oak barrels for 18 months and blended eight different grape varieties to gain rich character and complexity.  ¶   The White Table Wine has aromas and flavors of citrus, honeydew, nectarine, a hint of toasty oak, and a pineapple and pear mélange with  a supple, elegant character.   ¶  The Red Table Wine has concentrated black fruit, cedar and spice aromas and blackberry and blueberry flavors accented by cedar and spice nuances and a smooth finish. 

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BONNY DOON VINEYARDS 2005 "Le Pousseur" Syrah, Central Coast $18: "The label of the Syrah "Le Pousseur" suggests a mysterious figure, cloaked in a great coat, in which rare vials and flasks of vaguely illicit elixirs, potions and philtres are cached. The image evokes a Tarot card, and as such, represents an archetypical figure, an icon resonant to our unconscious.  Great syrah is all about perfume and the tension between the wild and the refined. 2005 was a coolish year, one of elegance and restraint, and the '05 is extremely refined; the wine (upon decanting) has an especially seductive perfume.  The ignifiers of vrai syrah: bacon fat is well in evidence, as is the scent of licorice, anise, wintergreen, violet and spicy elements – white pepper, most notably, juniper, cardamom and sandalwood.    I almost neglected to mention the brilliant mineral element herein- mostly in virtue of shy-yielding grapes. The texture is particularly noteworthy, with melted, creamy tannins and a very silky finish.  ¶   "About  our Ca' del Solo vineyard, it received Biodynamic certification by Demeter in May 2007.  We can now officially state that its wines are made from biodynamically farmed grapes."

• BONNY DOON VINEYARDS 2005 "Le Pousseur" Syrah, Central Coast $18
• CA' del SOLO 2007 Albarino, Monterey County $20: "Well defined sun forces at center reflect the wine's cool climate fruit--reflective of 2007's dry season.  Finely detailed crystals at the periphery highlight our Albarino's minerality, typical at Ca' del Solo.  Overall this powerful crystallization shows the vine's strong life force elegantly organized by the wine's varietal character.'
• CA' del SOLO 2007 Muscat, Monterey County $17: "Well-defined central vacuoles reflect the powerful aromatic potential in 2007.  The wine's strong fruit character is balanced by a striking band crossing the center from the median, evincing the Muscat's complex floral and herbal qualities.  Finely textured crystals reach out to the end of the periphery reflecting the vine's connection to the soil."  

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PARADUXX (a Duckhorn Wine Company wine) 2005 Napa Valley Red Table Wine $48 is a unique Napa Valley Red Wine in the tradition of the world's great blends.  From the Super Tuscan wines of Italy to the Shiraz-Cabernet Sauvignon blends of Australia, each great winegrowing region has created its own authentic varietal pairings.  Paraduxx's goal is to craft a world-class blend with a distinctly Californian personality by using Zinfandel, a grape synonymous with California, Merlot and Cabernet Sauvignon.   Duckhorn Wine Company originally created Paraduxx to allow its winemakers the opportunity to explore other styles without detracting from Duckhorn Vineyards' focus on Bordeaux varietals.  In 1994, Paraduxx sourced four tons of Zinfandel from the 100-year-old vines of Napa's Korte Vineyard.  This Zinfandel was blended with Duckhorn Vineyards' own Merlot, Cabernet Sauvignon and Petite Sirah to create the first Paraduxx vintage.  Since then, Paraduxx has grown to include grapes from the Rector Creek Vineyard in Yountville, which benefits from well-drained rocky alluvial soils and Napa's temperate climate.  The winemaking team has been so pleased with the fruit from Rector Creek that Paraduxx has used this Zinfandel as the basis for the development of its proprietary red.  From the first vintage, Paraduxx has dedicated itself to finding the optimum blend, using combinations of Merlot and Cabernet Franc to enhance the core pairing of Zinfandel and Cabernet Sauvignon.  Noting the jammy quality of valley Zinfandel, versus the tannic spiciness of mountain grown grapes, Paraduxx also blends fruit from distinct vineyard lots at differing elevations.    Winemaker David Galzignato finds blending both his greatest challenge and joy.  While producers of Cabernet Sauvignon or Zinfandel have hundreds of wines to use as reference points, the Paraduxx blend must create its own benchmark.  To achieve this, David harvests and barrel ages each lot separately.  Next, individual Cabernet Sauvignon and Zinfandel blends are made.  Once a base blend of these two varietals is achieved, several trial blends are made using additional varietals to see if they enhance the final wine.  Using a combination of French and American oak to provide flavor complexity, Paraduxx is barrel aged for 18 months. This allows a full integration and softening of the barrel flavors and wood tannins to occur. The result of Paraduxx's experimentation and careful craftsmanship is a complex, structured wine with intense aromatics that naturally pairs with a wide array of international cuisines.

• PARADUXX 2005 Red Table Wine: "The growing season began with above average rainfall, and an ideal fruit set produced abundant clusters and exceptional fruit.  A lengthy harvest concluded in early November.  The aroma explodes with ripe fruit—strawberry, boysenberry, and plum, complemented by hints of violets, spice, and orange peel. This wine is medium-bodied with a chewy texture, robust yet approachable tannins, and a firm, lengthy finish. Ripe flavors of raspberry, red cherry, and boysenberry are balanced by complex notes of dark chocolate, espresso bean, and black licorice.  Varietal content is 60% Zinfandel, 32% Cabernet Sauvignon, 6% Merlot, 2% Cabernet Franc.  Cooperage includes 18 months in oak (65% American oak, 35% French oak, 40% new, 60% second vintage. Alc: 14.5% 

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ZACA MESA 2005 Estate "Z" Cuvée, Santa Ynez Valley $18:   "Zaca Mesa is a Santa Ynez Valley estate winery dedicated to Rhone varieties.   Since 1972, we have hand crafted wines from grapes grown in our vineyards to express their distinct character and genuine quality, offering you a unique experience to share.   All our wines are made from grapes grown on our 240 acres of vineyards and never leave the winery until after bottling, so that they can be designated as Estate Bottled.  Estate Bottled is a regulated term, unlike many other terms such as, so-and-so Estate or Reserve. The requirements are: (a) Conditions for use. The term "Estate bottled" may be used by a bottling winery on a wine label only if the wine is labeled with a viticultural area appellation of origin and the bottling winery: (1) Is located in the labeled viticultural area; (2) grew all of the grapes used to make the wine on land owned or controlled by the winery within the boundaries of the labeled viticultural area; (3) crushed the grapes, fermented the resulting must, and finished, aged, and bottled the wine in a continuous process (the wine at no time having left the premises of the bottling winery).  Less than 2% of all wine is designated as Estate Bottled.

• ZACA MESA 2005 Estate "Z" Cuvée, Santa Ynez Valley $18: "This unique combination of Grenache, Mourvèdre, Syrah and Cinsault is inspired by the Chateauneuf-de-Pape’s where they have been blending these wines together for centuries, creating wines that are greater than the sum of their parts. After hand harvesting, the grapes were gently de-stemmed, fermented and barrel aged separately for seven months, then combined and aged for an additional nine months in French oak barrels.   Each grape adds its own nuance: Grenache adds rich raspberry flavors; Mourvèdre brings notes of blueberry; Syrah, flavors of blackberry and ripe tannins and a touch of Cinsault’s dusty berry notes. These layers of flavor enable this wine to pair with a wide variety of foods from mushroom pizza to rosemary crusted leg of lamb. You can enjoy this wine now or cellar for the next five to seven years.
  Also, ZACA MESA's web site lists its Food and Wine Pairing principles:
  • Pair:  High acid wines with high acid foods  **  High acid wines with salty foods (Champagne & caviar) **  High acid wines with smoked foods
    High acid foods (tomatoes, vinaigrettes, fruits) make most wine flat.  They also make tannic wines (age-worthy reds like our Estate, Black Bear, and Eight Barrel Syrahs and the Z Three) seem hard and bitter.
  • Salt and sweet also play a role in pairing.  Salty foods will dull the flavors of many wines. To counter this, serve wines that have more fruity components, such as the Viognier or Z Cuvée.
  • Overtly oaky or toasty wines usually seem hard or flat with most foods. Long aging in new oak barrels can make wines difficult food partners.   Our wines are carefully aged to allow for character and complexity, but also to manage aggressive oak and butter on the palate.
  • Look for complimentary styles:
    Match delicate wines (Viognier, Chardonnay) with delicate foods (sole, sea bass)
    Match bold wines (Syrah, Roussanne) with bold, big flavored foods (grilled steak, lamb, rich cheeses)
    Match great food with great, complex wines and everyday foods with everyday wines.

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KENDALL-JACKSON, after 25 years, remains relentlessly committed to leading the wine industry by producing only the finest quality wines from grapes grown on mountains, ridges, hillsides and benchlands in California's most desirable growing regions.

• KENDALL-JACKSON 2005 Jackson Estate Grown Vintner's Reserve Merlot,  $19: "Intense blueberry and mocha flavors are accented by black cherry, currant and anise notes.  The wine is well structured and the subtle tannins create a luxuriously smooth mouthfeel.  The finish is complex, rich and elegant," says Winemaker Randy Ullom.
• KENDALL-JACKSON 2005  Vintner's Reserve Zinfandel, California  $13: "jammy raspberry flavors form Mendocino; Sonoma County fruit lends blackberry and cassis; plum and spice aromas from Lake County; eight months aging in French (70%) and American oak barrels--create an wine of plum raspberry and blackberry flavors supported with solid tannins and sultry cedar and spice accents on a long finish." 

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CHATEAU MONTELENA Winemaker's Notes: "The mild, uneventful 2005 vintage presented ideal ripening weather.  We anticipated optimal crop yields, juice quality, fruit flavors and chemistry.  And because this overall weather pattern essentially extended the growing season, we began harvest much later than average.   But once we finally ripped into the red grapes there was a massive gathering of the Cabernet, Zinfandel and Merlot!  Solid, steady picking resulted with a daily crush of 13 to 40 tons and continued for 18 days.  It was awesome ideal weather and harvest activity during which we took in an amazing 473 tons of fruit.   I feel this vintage shows strong similarities to 1986-- delicious, fully mature fruit without excess sugar, and with good acidity. We could not have ordered better weather in 2005: when we needed a little heat, it warmed up; when we needed a little less heat, it cooled down.

• CHATEAU MONTELENA 2005 Napa Valley Cabernet Sauvignon $45 "shows a deep, dark ruby color, complex aromatics of berry, cedar, licorice, and classic Cabernet,  which combined with its rich, underlying fruit concentration, should please the most discriminating wine lover. The palate is smooth, full-bodied and balanced, with attractive berry and spice notes and rich, fine grained Cabernet tannins. Tasty today, this wine is built in the traditional Montelena style, so that it will also definitely develop nicely with a few years of cellar time." Composition/Blend is 86% Cabernet Sauvignon, 11% Merlot, 3% Cabernet Franc and had 18 months in oak, 13.7% alc. 
• CHATEAU MONTELENA 2005 Montelena Estate Zinfandel, Napa Valley $30 "The mild 2005 vintage had good ripening weather throughout, and this was especially beneficial to the thin skinned Zinfandel grape that can shrivel in heat, and rot more easily in cold, wet conditions. Grown with patience from low yielding, carefully farmed Calistoga vines, we crafted an elegant, claret-styled Estate Zinfandel. The wine shows a very good deep red color.   On the nose and the palate, typical Zinfandel expressions of spicy berry, subtle briar, and some dried fruit component.  The overall body does reflect a cooler vintage, and the very slightly higher acidity gives freshness to the bright fruit and elegant texture.  It is very much a claret style, food friendly wine, so unlike many huge high alcohol Zins thundering around nowadays, this will accompany an astonishing array of cuisine. On release it will clearly taste like a young wine, but over time its classic lines, nice berry fruit, and medium weight will make this a tasty dinner wine, and an easy sipper.  4,800 cases, 14.7% alc. 

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• LITTLE BLACK DRESS: "Just like its namesake, Little Black Dress™ is a wine that goes with any occasion.   It’s timeless.  It complements any taste, any style.  The wine is fashioned specifically to capture what a woman wants.  Little Black Dress ($10) signifies all that is confident, sexy and today.  Only a wine that exudes such bold flavors and playful undertones could merit the honor of being the Official Wine of Awards Season.
• Merlot 2005: If you’re passionate about merlot, make Little Black Dress your go-to red. This wine is rich with aromas of ripe black cherry, cranberry, and warm herb, complemented by hints of vanilla and toasted oak. This medium-bodied merlot can seduce even the most experienced of palates with its nice lingering finish.
  

• Pinot Grigio 2006: Whether you’re going out or having friends in, Little Black Dress Pinot Grigio is perfect for any occasion. With subtle hints of floral spice, crisp pear and bright peach, this wine is both tempting and light. Little Black Dress Pinot Grigio makes just the right statement, no matter what the conversation.

• Chardonnay 2005: Little Black Dress Chardonnay is always right for any occasion. With subtle hints of oak and overtones of lush apple, it dresses up casual evenings and makes formal events simply more fun. At once classic and contemporary, this Little Black Dress both deserves and demands attention.

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GNARLY HEAD Wines are crafted with California's spirit of fun and adventure - each sip plunges the palate into luscious, concentrated fruit flavor and unexpected spice notes.  Our grapes come from some of the finest vineyards in Northern California. Try a glass of Gnarly Head wine on the beach after a day of surfing, with friends at a picnic, at a family dinner, after summiting a mountain, with popcorn and a movie, to celebrate sealing the big deal, with candlelight and roses at dinner for two, while reflecting on the day, to wash down those sticky, spicy, barbecued ribs.

• GNARLY HEAD 2006 Chardonnay, California, 14.5 alc $12: "This mouthwatering wine has bright tropical fruit flavors of pineapple and citrus, followed by zingy ginger, toasted coconut and vanilla on a creamy finish.  Full-bodied, the Chardonnay offers waves of flavor-- big, bold flavors perfect for Tex Mex, Thai, and blackened chicken or fish, yet  well-balanced enough to go with popcorn, pasta night, salad days or on its own.  The grapes are from specially selected vineyards in Lodi, Monterey and Mendocino. Lodi grapes give ripe, juicy fruit and floral notes; Monterey contributes citrus and tropical flavors, and Mendocino grapes deliver the crisp acidity to Gnarly Head Chardonnay that balances the abundant fruit flavors. "
• GNARLY HEAD 2005 Merlot, California 14.5% alc. $12: "Big waves of rich, ripe fruit flavors splash over the palate as the introduction to Gnarly Merlot.   Dark, lush black cherry character is layered with hints of toasted almond, vanilla and cocoa, which carries into a smooth, intriguing finish.   Gnarly Head Merlot fits right in at a beachside barbecue or a formal fete and pairs as well with pizza or a turkey sandwich and chips as it does with a pork loin, a porterhouse steak, roasted vegetables and wild rice.  Grapes for the wine come from Monterey vineyards, featuring loamy, free-draining soils with trellising that gives ideal exposure to sunlight. Dry summer weather, combined with cool breezes off Monterey Bay provide the perfect conditions for controlling growth and stress through irrigation—resulting in grapes of intense fruit flavors. 

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DRY CREEK VINEYARDS ZINFANDELS come in four delicious selections.  "Our SIGNATURE Wines reflect balance and harmony by blending fruit from both the Dry Creek Valley and Russian River Valley appellations.  These wines, established by winery founder David Stare, offer wonderful intensity of fruit, supple texture and rich mouth feel which make them easy to enjoy and extremely food friendly.  Our SINGLE VINEYARD wines are made from the best fruit of individually selected vineyards in the Dry Creek Valley. Each of these wines has a distinct flavor profile that expresses the unique terroir of their respective vineyards. The resulting wines have elegant complexity that has the structure and balance to endure the test of time.

• DRY CREEK VINEYARDS 2006 Heritage Zinfandel, Sonoma County (14.5 alc) $17: "This 2006 vintage SIGNATURE wine of Heritage Zinfandel begins with a deep and inky purple-red color.  At first swirl, up front fruit aromas of wild blackberry and plum are evident along with more subtle layers of white pepper and cardamom spice.  On the palate, the flavors are rich and concentrated with additional blackberry characters that mingle with chocolate, allspice, and vanilla. The tannins are firm and supple, creating a balanced mouthfeel that seems to linger on and on.  This is an elegant, sophisticated, and polished Zinfandel that displays Sonoma County fruit at its very best."
• DRY CREEK VINEYARDS 2005 Old Vine Zinfandel, Sonoma County (14.5 alc) $28: "This 2005 Old Vine Zinfandel, also a SIGNATURE wine,  comes from five unique Dry Creek Valley vineyards.   The average age of these properties is more than 80 years old, which contributes a special flavor profile that is difficult to describe.  At first swirl, a spicy, lush black fruit character leaps from the glass.  On the palate, classic briary and raspberry flavors appear with layers of white pepper and cardamom adding a spicy complexity.  The finish displays additional spice with smoky vanilla from the French oak, leading to a long and satisfying aftertaste.  Delicious to the very last drop!"
• DRY CREEK VINEYARDS 2005 Somers Ranch Zinfandel, Dry Creek Valley (14.9 alc) $34: "The SINGLE VINEYARD Somers Ranch is an exceptional vineyard located in the eastern hills of the Dry Creek Valley.  At first swirl, aromas of boysenberry, cherry, and pepper provide an exciting preview for the flavors that follow.  On the palate, the fruit is succulent and rich, without being overpowering. The tannins are smooth and integrated and develop further with more time in the glass.  This wine displays impeccable balance and structure for a young Zinfandel and should continue to develop for the next five years. "
• DRY CREEK VINEYARDS 2004 Beeson Ranch Zinfandel, Dry Creek Valley (14.5 alc) $34: "The Beeson Ranch, planted in 1882, is one of the most prized vineyards in the Dry Creek Valley.  This beautiful vineyard produces a unique wine of great depth and character.  The Beeson Ranch, well over 100 years old, offers a   Zinfandel that defines the concept of terroir in the Dry Creek Valley.  This rich, elegant wine displays aromas of cardamom and white pepper that are unique to this vineyard.  On the palate are elegant flavors of black cherry, vanilla, and plum.   The finish is silky and smooth with supple tannins that bring harmony and balance to this one-of-a-kind wine." 

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ETUDE 2006 Estate Pinot Noir, Carneros, Napa Valley $42: Etude specializes in two classic reds – Pinot Noir and Cabernet Sauvignon – while also producing limited amounts of several other varietals. Etude’s Pinot Noir and white varieties are crafted from grapes grown in the cool Carneros region. Fruit for Etude’s Cabernet Sauvignon comes from the warmer, upper reaches of the Napa Valley.  "ETUDE 2006 Estate Pinot Noir comes from our vineyard tucked away in the far northwest corner of the Carneros which are composed of  variations of volcanic origin.  They are well-drained, rocky upland soils.    The Estate Pinot Noir is aged for 12 to 14 months in the finest French oak barrells. Our goal is to produce a distinctly styled Pinot Noir of the highest quality, a wine that can satisfy any “Burgundian” urge and yet be proud of its California roots. The 2006 Estate bottling offers inviting cool climate aromatics of raspberry, pomegranate and sandalwood with a touch of turned earth. Classically structured, the palate bursts with flavors of sweet frambois strawberries, red cherries and mocha.  The lush fruit combined with the baking spice notes from aging in French oak creates a defined Pinot Noir with elegance and length."

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